Comparison of SurePath® and ThinPrep® liquid-based cervical cytology using positive predictive value, atypical...

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Cytopathology
• Cervical Cancer Screening Technologies
• Diagnostic Performance Evaluation

Background:

• Two primary liquid-based cytology (LBC) systems, ThinPrep® and SurePath®, are widely used in the UK for cervical screening.
• Previous studies have compared LBC with conventional cytology, but direct comparisons between ThinPrep® and SurePath® are lacking.
• Laboratory system selection has significant clinical and economic implications, necessitating direct comparative studies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To directly compare the performance of ThinPrep® and SurePath® LBC systems.
• To evaluate the systems using established performance indicators within a single cytology laboratory.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of cervical cytology samples processed over one year at Manchester Cytology Centre.
• Comparison of ThinPrep® and SurePath® using positive predictive value (PPV), atypical predictive value (APV), and total predictive value (TPV).
• Predictive values assessed outcomes for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 or worse, high-grade dyskaryosis, low-grade dyskaryosis, and borderline cytology.

Main Results:

• A total of 2287 ThinPrep® samples and 586 SurePath® samples met criteria for borderline or worse cytology.
• Both ThinPrep® and SurePath® demonstrated PPV, APV, and TPV within acceptable ranges.
• No statistically significant difference in performance was observed between the two LBC systems.

Conclusions:

• ThinPrep® and SurePath® liquid-based cytology systems are equivalent in performance for cervical screening based on the evaluated indicators.
• Atypical predictive value (APV) and total predictive value (TPV) are recommended as adjuncts to positive predictive value (PPV) for quality assurance in cervical screening.